Stereotypes Of Extroverts In The Legal Profession

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While it is commonly believed that Attorneys need to be outgoing and comfortable with networking in large social environments, these extroverted traits aren’t necessarily what an attorney needs to be successful. Despite the stereotype that extroverts dominate the legal field, introverts are equally as valuable and common in the legal profession— in fact, introversion has proven to be a useful tool for reserved attorneys, it’s just the matter of learning how to incorporate and maximize your strengths as an introvert into your professional life.
Much of an attorney’s job is done in solitude or with a small team— reading, writing, studying, thinking— there isn’t much large scale interaction which is perfect for introverts because that is the environment in which they are most productive. Much of an
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Challenging yourself and stepping out of that comfort zone is always important if you want to thrive as an attorney and serve your clients to the best of your ability. Try to challenge yourself once a week by engaging in interactions you normally would shy away from (ex. Participating in larger social events), as you continue to challenge yourself, eventually, you will feel more at ease and you might find yourself feeling less drained after these social interactions.
Keep in mind, it doesn’t matter if you are an introvert or extrovert, these labels alone don’t say anything about your ability to perform well in your field. But, knowing your strengths and weaknesses and your comfort levels with tasks is important; examining these aspects of yourself and adjusting the practices you use as an attorney to better incorporate these traits will prevent you from becoming overwhelmed and will allow you to remain focused and productive, and help you thrive as an

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